Free State Eccentricity (2009 Release)

Finally splitting my ratings apart of the different versions. 2009 blended version released on tap @ Free State’s 20th Anniversary party. Pours a hazy dark amber, with a nice creamy tan head that drifts to a chunky ring, good retention and great lacing. Aroma is very floral, with almost a perfume quality, complimented by tart cherry, light oak, dark fruits, and grape skins. In some ways this was like sniffing a field of freshly bloomed flowers with everything else in there to compliment. Flavor is also highlighted by more floral, perfume, light oak and bourbon, tart cherry, sour grape and ripe dark fruits. The barrel-aging on this one is subtle and well placed, but overall this is a bit too heavy on the floral and perfume notes to really wow me. Very interesting. Happy 20th Free State! 8/4/7/4/17=4

Draft at GABF! Nose of EtOH, bourbon, and oaky vanilla. Clear brown with a small beige head. Flavor was very bourbony with some caramel, chocolate, and vanilla.

[On-tap at GTMW ’09] Pours reddish-brown with a decent sized beige head. Aroma has a big barrel presence, vinous characteristics, and a good dose of some other fruitiness (that I couldn’t pinpoint). Taste has barrel again, but then the oatmeal stout really comes through, with chocolate, mild bitterness and some caramel. Medium-thick mouthfeel, smooth, and has a long dry finish. Very different and nice--would love to try in a non-festival setting.

GTMW. Sadly, not all that interesting. Mostly alcohol with some maltiness and funk from the barrels. The oaking dominated the beer.

Sampled @ GTMW ’09 - This was one of my most looked-forward to beers of the day and one of my biggest disappointments. I’m kicking myself for not trying the Owd Macs IS instead! Anyways, pours a deep amber with a nice tan head. Smells of fresh cut grass, a little skunk, some yeast funk, and citrus. Taste is all over the place, with funky yeast, sourness, and a bitter hop finish. It seemed like there was so much going on in this beer that it needed some time to settle down. Perhaps in a year or two this will be something special.

Great Taste, 2009. On a day with plenty of bourbon barrel beers, brett-based sour ales, and everything in between, this actually stood out for its uniqueness. I still can’t decide from my notes whether I liked it, as it seems to go a number of different directions. One thing though is that I think it needs some time to round out a bit. Onto the beer, the nose is particularly striking, making it clear that a lot of things are going on here. It reminded me on the nose of one of Firestone Walker’s complex, blended beers. On the palate, notes of caramel, butter, dried apricot, pear, leading into darker fruit and burnt toffee. It was a bit hot on the finish, with pronounced vanilla and wood. Interesting, and it would be fun to try it again by itself.

(Draught) Pours a cloudy amber-brown body with a tall creamy beige head. Aroma of insect repellent, florals, melon, green apple, vanilla, and herbs. Flavor of grass, Belgian yeast, molasses, cherry, alcohol, spices, and oak. It is a bit hot now, but will likely age nicely.

(on tap at GTMW 09) Pours a muddy light reddish brown with a light tan head that retains throughout the course of consumption. The aroma is certainly unique, but not all that appealing, with some hay, must, damp wood, lightly vinous, with a bit of brown sugar and apple skin. The taste is better, with a bit of blueberry, plenty of oak and salt, with an unidentifiable spice note (cinnamon?) and burnt caramel. The finish is quite dry and full of yeast. The mouthfeel is medium with light carbonation.